Politics

Derek Fildebrandt taking leave of absence as UCP finance critic amid Airbnb controversy

By Kyle Morris 630CHED

Posted August 10, 2017 11:15 pm

Updated August 10, 2017 11:32 pm

1 min read

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Derek Fildebrandt is shown in Strathmore, Alta., Monday, Jan.26, 2015. Fildebrandt, the finance critic for Alberta's new United Conservative Party, says there is nothing wrong with using his taxpayer-funded housing allowance to make money. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland

Derek Fildebrandt is taking a leave of absence as finance critic for the United Conservative Party.

In an e-mailed statement on Thursday, Fildebrandt said: “I am scheduled to leave for a family vacation out of province tomorrow and will be taking a leave of absence from my finance duties effective today.”

He also said he has paid back the amount he earned off his Edmonton taxpayer-funded home he was renting out ($2,555).

Fildebrandt said that he believed renting out his home was “above board,” but that he’s spoken with his constituents and “they are never wrong.”

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In his own statement, interim UCP leader Nathan Cooper said Fildebrandt has apologized and that “The UCP believes in fiscal accountability and protecting taxpayers.”

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Earlier in the day, it was revealed that Fildebrandt was renting out his taxpayer-funded home in Edmonton on Airbnb.

Watch below: Ongoing video coverage of the Derek Fildebrandt Airbnb saga